Siraj says: Nothing is possible beyond the will of Allah.

Mohammed Siraj had meticulously planned his February. The first half of the month was to be filled with leisure and family moments — watching Real Madrid play at Santiago Bernabéu on the 15th, followed by preparing for Ramadan with his loved ones. Leading Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy had been his primary professional commitment, and after that, a period of rest seemed well-deserved. The T20 World Cup, at that stage, felt like a distant dream.

Yet, destiny had entirely different plans.

Within a mere 24 hours, Siraj’s carefully laid schedule was upended. The trip to Spain was cancelled, and the pacer received an unexpected call to join the Indian national team in Mumbai. Remarkably, it was only on the eve of India’s opening T20 World Cup match against the United States that Siraj discovered he would be part of the squad.

Having been largely overlooked by selectors over the past 18 months, Siraj had assumed he would miss this tournament. Reflecting on the turn of events during a press conference, he said, “I never imagined I’d play in the World Cup. When I wasn’t being selected for T20s, I had accepted that this one wasn’t for me.”

Everything changed in a flash. During India’s warm-up matches, pacer Harshit Rana suffered a knee injury, forcing the selectors to seek an immediate replacement. Their eyes fell on Siraj. Soon after, he received a phone call from India captain Suryakumar Yadav.

Siraj recalled, “Two days before, Surya bhai called me and said, ‘Miyan, pack your bags and come to Mumbai.’ I told him, ‘Brother, you’re joking. This can’t be happening.’ But he insisted, ‘I’m serious — get ready.’” Minutes later, Pragyan Ojha, a member of the selection committee, confirmed the news. At that point, Siraj’s ticket to Madrid had already been booked.

Overjoyed after a match, Siraj said in a post-match interview, “Ojha bhai called next. What Allah has written, no one can change. That’s exactly what happened.” He reflected further, “On the 15th, I was supposed to watch Real Madrid and then spend time preparing for Ramadan. But Allah’s plan was different — and it came true.”

The story highlights the unpredictable nature of sport and the enduring faith of a player who trusted in destiny. From a quiet plan of football and family to representing India on the world stage, Siraj’s journey is a testament to patience, perseverance, and divine timing.

February 2026 Timeline for Mohammed Siraj